Supermom: Rubyellen Bratcher of Cakies

This week's Supermom is Rubyellen Bratcher of Cakies. Rubyellen has four gorgeous little girls and an absolutely beautiful home. She is always coming up with a new lovely DIY project or pretty crafts, whipping up delicious looking meals, and planning awesome birthday bashes, movie nights, and fun activities for her girls. Rubyellen is truly a lady who does it all and that's why I'm happy to include her in my list of Supermoms! Read on to find out more about Rubyellen...

Supermom: Brandy Mercredi of Heart & Habit

Brandy Mercredi of Heart & Habit

This week's Supermom is Brandy Mercredi of Heart & Habit! Brandy has the two most stylish and adorable kiddos on the block. Her family always looks straight out of a magazine, but I love that Brandy is great at finding deals and coming up with ways to get the most wear out of her little one's outfits. She's also the founder of the Style Mentors - a service to help those of us who are in a bit of a fashion rut freshen up our wardrobe. Read on to learn more about this week's supermom...

Supermom: Erin Loechner

Today's Supermom is Erin Loechner of Design for Mankind and its smaller but equally lovely namesake, Design for Minikind! Her daughter, sweet little 'Bee' is seriously adorable and I have so appreciated her candid and honest posts about the difficulties of caring for a newborn. Read on to find out more about Erin...

Supermom: Sarah Schlothan Christensen

This week's Supermom is Sarah Schlothan Christensen of Becoming Sarah. Sarah's blog Becoming Sarah is on my daily must-read list. Her posts have inspired me, humbled me, made me laugh, cry, and helped to carry me through some of my most difficult moments as a mother. I cannot say enough about her thoughtful honest writing, not to mention the fact that her daughter Charlotte is just an absolutely beautiful, joyful, and downright hilarious child. Sarah just recently announced that she is pregnant and I am thrilled to follow along on her family's new adventure. Read on to learn more about Sarah and her thoughts on motherhood...

I’ve been blogging off and on for ten years.  My first blog was actually a joint blog with a few high school buddies.  It was a private space where we would leave coded messages for each other to figure out.

Once a complete and incurable dork, always a complete and incurable dork.

At any rate, I stumbled across parent blogs shortly before I met my husband.  At the time I was a single, young college student a million years away from having children, but something really drew me in.  I loved reading about parents’ successes and failures, about the ways their children inspired and frustrated them.  It was like an online love letter to their kids and I knew immediately that when I had children of my own I wanted to do the same thing.  I loved the idea of sharing my parenthood with other parents – learning from them, being challenged by them, and building a community – and I loved the idea of my future children growing up with so many people pitching in.  I knew that a community of like-minded parents would help me stick to my guns in the face of adversity and would help me get back on track when I fell off a wagon and would help me think about things in new light.  I strongly believed that the more people there were involved in the rearing of a child (with at least one or two very consistent nurturing figures, of course), the better.

So that’s how I fell into parent blogging.  As soon as I knew that my daughter was healthy in my womb, I opened BecomingSarah.com and started writing about her and about us.

This is a tough question because what I love most changes day to day.  Recently I have really loved listening to the stories my daughter narrates to me.  Our family is very big on oral storytelling and Charlotte loves to create stories of her own throughout the day.  I adore listening to all of them.

I have a really hard time dealing with criticism of my parenting.  I put so much thought into each decision and when someone tells me that they think I’m doing something wrong, I have a very hard time standing up for myself.  It doesn’t matter if the decision is rooted in science or in family tradition or in simply following my instincts – nobody can make me doubt myself like another parent can.

Love.
Patience.
Confidence.
And probably some diapers too.

This isn’t a great question to ask me.  Our parenthood has been largely determined by a miniscule budget.  A $10 used Moby wrap (my favorite for young babies) was cheaper than a stroller.  I later won a stroller in a blog giveaway, but we almost never used it because baby carriers were simply easier.  Strollers are a bit of a pain in the ass, you know?  They’re heavy, bulky, you can’t exactly cut through crowds, and stairs are a nightmare.  And I powered through breastfeeding problems in the early days because, quite frankly, we couldn’t afford to continue supplementing with formula.  We cloth diapered (FuzziBunz) because we couldn’t afford disposables, and all of our daughter’s clothing were hand-downs.

Having made it through babyhood with less than half the crap that baby books told us we needed, I’m generally of the opinion that you need almost nothing.  Some diapers, a place for the kid to sleep, a way to get the child from Point A to Point B, a handful of onesies, a blanket, and either boobs or bottles.  That should carry you through six to eight months.

More love.
More patience.
More confidence.

And probably a book about nutrition or discipline wouldn’t hurt because that’s basically all you’re going to think about during the toddler years.

Some good friends, preferably people who make you laugh.

Solid nutrition, because the better you eat the better you feel, and the better you feel the better a parent you are.

And a day off now and then.  Because parenthood isn’t meant to be a one-person show.

I rely on a lot of people!  My parents live four houses away and they see Charlotte two to five times a week.  Because we parent very similarly to the way they parented me (although my dad says we’re a little farther down the “hippie” scale than they were!), I never have to worry about what activities they engage in or what they feed my daughter.  The transition from one house to another is seamless for Charlotte.  They even discipline her in the same way that we do.

Outside of my parents, we also rely on neighbors, siblings, and good friends to help us out.  If we ever need help with something or we feel overwhelmed, we know that we have people we can count on.  I cannot stress enough how important I feel that a supportive community is in our world.

Trust yourself.  Nobody knows your child better than you, so trust what your gut says.  It’s never a bad idea to listen to other people because sometimes you might learn something or two years later that advice you discarded originally might be perfect – but if what they say doesn’t jive with you then don’t feel bad about ignoring it.  They don’t love your child the way you do and they aren’t familiar with your family the way you are.  So just go with your gut.

Unless your gut is telling you to stuff your kid in a freezer or something.  That’s straight up bad parenting right there.

My mom.  She’s the original =)



Thank you so much to Sarah for your advice and thoughts on motherhood. I can completely relate to dealing with criticism. Before having Violet I pictured myself as a mother confident in my decisions but in reality I question myself and my decisions multiple times a day. That's difficult enough without throwing others' opinions into the mix!


Definitely visit Sarah's blog, Becoming Sarah if you are a parent or parent-to-be. Her blog is truly a must-read. And yes - she really is a super hero.


xo, Lauren

Supermom: Katie of Katie's Pencil Box

This week's Supermom is Katie of Katie's Pencil Box! Katie is the super stylish mama of Max who writes the sweetest letters to their baby-on-the-way. Her blog is full of the most gorgeous photos of their day-to-day life. I seriously catch my breath everytime I visit her site. Read on to find out more about Katie...

when max was a toddler i wanted a place to keep pictures and funny stories to share with family and friends. i ended up keeping a blog on livejournal! i found an amazing community of creative ladies and inspiring mamas there...and i'm still good friends with a lot of the gals i met way back then.

i know i say it a lot, but my favorite part has to be getting to be a little kid again...dreaming up silly things for your little one or going on funny adventures that only your childhood-self could come up with! so much of parenting is making serious, adult decisions...but having the opportunity to see life again through a child's eyes and mind is really a gift. really, the whole package of motherhood is a blessing over and over.

the toughest thing about being a mother is learning the dance...keeping time and in step with an ever changing little individual ( who is sometimes nothing like you and sometimes so much like you it's frightening). there is a lot of pressure and responsibility in trying to raise a good and decent human being. i don't know that a day goes by that i don't worry that i'm scarring this little guy for life. but then you see how resilient and adaptable and capable kids can be. and you want just an ounce of their endless capacity for love and forgiveness. in learning this dance, i've found that there's a time for me to lead and a time to just follow and trust.

chickadee booties . sofie teether . babylit board books

wooden snack bowl . notefolio . threadless booklovers tee

anthro maxi skirt . field guided tote . instax camera

i don't even try! i know it's been a good day, lived to the fullest, when there is a pile of laundry and a sink full of dishes waiting on me.

the best thing i've learned is to let your little ones be little ones! it can be a real hoot when you let go and stay present with them, despite the mess making. plus you can learn a lot about yourself and your babies in those minutes when you're not rushing off to clean dirty knees.

definitely my mother! everyday i learn something new and wonderful about her by being a mama myself.

one of my favorite blogging supermoms would have to be james from bleubird vintage...loads of style and lots of adventuring with her babies!

any mom that can show that life doesn't have to stop when you have kids is a supermom to me!


Thank you so much to Katie for your poignant thoughts and advice on motherhood! I so agree with you on seeing the world through your child's eyes - there is truly nothing on Earth like it. See more of Katie, her beautiful family, and stunning photos here. 

xo, Lauren

Friday Favorites

Pretty food styling.

A family - beautiful.

Simple but lovely little party.

New favorite blog (via the boo and the boy)

Love Max's letters to his little sister-to-be and Jen's weekly parenting ups and downs.

Touching and thoughtful series by Ryan Marshall.

No words.

xo, Lauren

Supermom: Bridget Hunt of Tales of Me and the Husband

 Bridget Hunt - Tales of Me and the Husband

This week's Supermom is Bridget Hunt of Tales of Me and the Husband! Bridget became stepmom to four kids when she married her husband and she recently became mom to her very own little one, Parker, in July. While I know being a mom is one of the hardest jobs in the world, I've got a feeling being a stepmom is even harder! Read on to find out more about this week's Supermom:


I've always loved writing--it's the English major in me--and I found myself a bit swamped by my new(ish) life as stepmom.  I needed an outlet in the worst way.  On top of that, I saw Stephanie Nielson of the NieNie Dialogues on Oprah, became fascinated by her story, and checked out her blog as soon as the show was over.  I fell in love and thought blogging was really cool.  Thus, my blog was born. Two and a half years later, I'm sometimes surprised at the places it's brought me... in particular, actual friends that I met through the whole thing!

Probably laughing with the kids.  Lindsey is so funny these days and she really "gets it" (humor-wise). And Parker, oh that smooshy Parker... when I hear him on the monitor, I run upstairs to get him.  As soon as he sees me he gives me the biggest smile.  He always wakes happy and I like to think that's telling of his personality (ohhhh but time will tell!).  

For me it was probably getting over myself and becoming selfless.  With kids, it's really all about them. Selfish me took some time to get used to that!

1. Beco Gemini Carrier

2. Aden + Anais Swaddles

3. Summer Infant Portable Video Monitor -  With that last one, I felt like a total cheeseball.  Who needs to SEE THEIR BABY ALL THE TIME while they sleep?  But it has given me SUCH peace of mind. While I used to go upstairs every 15 minutes or so to see the rise and fall of his chest while he was sleeping, now I just click on the video.  It's the best.

For toddlers??  Gosh.  Crayons and a coloring book.  That can provide endless entertainment--at least for the girls!  Parker isn't a toddler yet, but I know this will come in handy then too (and already has): the City Select Baby Jogger stroller.  Love it.  And the carrier... I know, overlap, but it'll continue coming in good use especially when he's on-the-go and I can keep him stationary in it! 

1. FOOD.  I am a ravenous nursing mother and always want quick-eats which often are unhealthy ones. Pasta salads with fresh veggies, fruit, quiche, yogurt

2. My camera.  I have gone very few days without using it at all. 

3. The vacuum.  Here's why: sometimes it's the best for putting a restless babe to sleep (white noise!) and you can actually GET STUFF DONE (you know, using it to actually do its job of vacuuming) at the same time.

I don't.  There are nights when dinner is Trader Joes chicken nuggets or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!  And days where I felt like I was too "absent" on the computer or doing chores.  While the productive days are some of my favorites, I try to give myself lee-way for those other days too.  But then, sometimes, the mom-guilt sets in... 

Above all else, tell your kids you love them.  It covers a multitude of sins. 

Gosh, probably my Mom.  Cliche?  Sure.  But, she's pretty great.

Thanks so much to Bridget for your thoughts and advice! I second the vacuum advice (or the vent fan in the kitchen) - it's the only way we could get Violet to sleep for a while! See more of Bridget on her blog here.


xo, Lauren

Supermom: Esther Garfield of Buy Modern Baby

 Esther Garfield - Buy Modern Baby

This week's Supermom is Esther Garfield of Buy Modern Baby! Esther has a Master's degree in television production, but self-admittedly rarely watches TV. (She's too busy working on her website and blog!) Esther started Buy Modern Baby in 2006 as a resource for parents to find the best in modern baby and nursery products, followed by Buy Modern Baby the blog in 2010. Her site has been incredibly useful to me with my idea board service and in finding products for my own home. Esther is also mom to two little boys. Read on to learn more about this week's Supermom:

My brother-in-law kept telling me (for years!) that I needed a blog to go with my product guide but I wasn’t convinced.  There were so many blogs out there that I already enjoyed reading, but I starting running into so many interesting things that didn’t fit the categories in the guide, so I finally gave in and decided to give blogging a go. 

It took a few months before I found the blog’s groove but once I realized I had my own unique perspective in the world of kids design, I knew I had a lot to add to the conversation.

My favorite part of being a mom is the interesting talks that I have with my kids.  Even before they went out into the wide world of school and friends, it was so interesting to hear their unique thoughts and perspective.  I wish I could record all of our conversations.

The toughest thing for me about becoming a mother is just that there’s never a moment where you can just put being a parent on a pause.  There’s not a single second where you don’t worry about your children’s well being.  Even if I’m in a dead sleep, if they make a peep from their rooms at night, I’m wide-awake and ready to help if they need me.  It can be exhausting, but it’s just part of my job and I wouldn’t trade it with anyone!

My philosophy for baby items has always been to use as little as you can get by with and keep it as simple as possible.

These are three things that I love, but if your circumstances and lifestyle are different, they might not work or be necessary for you!

1. When I got home from the hospital, I realized I needed a place to put my baby when I wasn’t holding or wearing him.  A simple bouncer like the Baby Bjorn Babysitter does the trick perfectly.

2. Some lovely baby wash, moisturizer and diaper balm like the ones from Mini Organics make me very happy.  I love all the Mini Organics products and whenever my baby’s skin had any irritation, I knew I could count on them to gently soothe and bring things back into balance.  And they all smell perfectly wonderful.  I love using them for myself as well! 

3. This one is going to sound strange, but all the little baby clothes stressed me out.  You get so many cute little things, either as gifts or you buy things yourself, but then you have this crazy wardrobe with tiny clothes in all kinds of sizes.  I was always worried that I’d miss things or forget to put the boys into certain outfits until they had grown out of them, so closet dividers were a must-have for me.  I had to keep all those cute little things organized.

1. Before you know it, your little ones are sitting up on their own and trying solid food.  Our Ikea Antilop with the additional tray served us perfectly for both our boys.

2. Now I know these aren’t as eco-friendly as I prefer to be, but for eating out with a toddler, especially those who are still eating off the high chair tray at home, there’s nothing like having a pack of Table Toppers in your diaper bag.  These make eating out a little more hygienic and you can leave the table without having made too terrible of a mess.  I particularly liked the designs that had a road on them.  Bring a toy car as well, and you’ve got an activity while you wait for your food.

3. The perfect nightlight is essential at our house.  Hopefully your toddler won’t particularly NEED a nightlight, but both my boys have gone through stages where they don’t want their rooms completely dark (like right now).  Even if they don’t need it, it doesn’t hurt to have a little illumination in the room for when you go check on them.  We have a Mobi TykeLight, but I also like OXO Tot lights and Boon’s Glo.

Can I say a cook, a housekeeper and a great babysitter? Heheh—unfortunately I have none of the above.

But really, sometimes there are a few products that help it all go more smoothly.

1. iPhone.  I don’t know how I got through nursing my first child in the pre-iPhone era.  It was so much easier the second time around when I could sit and read news and twitter and even blog posts using just one hand wherever and whenever.  Even getting up in the middle of the night is easier if you have twitter to keep you company.

2. Spanx.  These LITERALLY help things go more “smoothly.”  Get it?  I know there are a few of you that put on your old jeans back on a couple weeks after the baby arrives, but I’m pretty sure that most of us need a little extra help.  I particularly like the High-Waisted Shapers.  They’ve got the maximum amount of shaping without impeding on nursing.

3. Slow Cooker.  To make mealtime go smoothly, you really can’t beat a slow cooker.  Put a meal together during naptime and at dinner time, it’s ready to just serve.  The food is cooked and soft enough to mash up for babies and if you make enough, you’ve got leftover lunch done for the next day as well.  I really need to use our slow cooker more often!  We have the 7-quart Crock-Pot from Costco and I’m happy with it but don’t have anything else to compare it to.

I don’t.  Lol!  Once the kids are in bed, I leave the dishes in the sink and the pile of papers on my desk and I blog.  Also, I don’t watch TV anymore.  I prefer surfing the web and interacting online.  The rest of the time I just do my best.

There are as many different moms out there as there are people.  You don’t have to do what you think everyone else is doing, you just have to be the best mom that the person you are can be.  And you don’t have to be the same mom for every child you have.  Each child is different and will require different things of you.

I’m sure it’s cliché, but MY mom is a supermom.  She can still take care of me like no one else.  When she’s here, she looks after my boys, does the gardening, makes dinner, and I’m pretty sure she stays up long after I’ve gone to bed to clean up... well, you know... all that stuff I left undone while I was busy at the computer!

Thanks to Esther for your thoughts and advice! I can definitely relate to never putting being a parent on pause. That's been the most difficult thing for me to adjust to as well. But you're right - I wouldn't trade it for anything! See more of Esther over on her blog, Buy Modern Baby.


xo, Lauren